Whisky Voices: Ingvar Rönde

This interview is part of my ongoing “Whisky Voices” series, where I sit down with leading voices in the whisky world, from distillers and writers to ambassadors and innovators, to capture their unfiltered thoughts on heroes, villains, surprises, trends, and wishes.

In this edition, I spoke with Ingvar Rönde, whisky author and the man behind one of the most essential annual publications in the whisky world, The Malt Whisky Yearbook. Few people have a deeper overview of the industry than Ingvar, and his answers reflect both decades of observation and a passion for whisky culture in all its forms.

Whisky Hero

Asked about his whisky heroes, Ingvar couldn’t choose just one. “If I could mention two,” he said, “I’ll go with two grand old men in Scotland: Dennis Malcolm from Glen Grant and Alan Winchester. Over the 21 years I’ve known them, they’ve both been so kind and helpful. From the day I was absolutely nobody, until today, when I’m not nearly nobody,” he added with a laugh. “They’re both enormous wells of knowledge and have supported me from the very beginning.”

A heartfelt nod to two living legends whose generosity and mentorship have shaped many a whisky career.

Whisky Villain

On the darker side of the industry, Ingvar didn’t hesitate. “The obvious whisky villains,” he said, “are all these companies selling casks and scamming people. That’s what I think most of us in the business absolutely hate; the ones who sell casks dishonestly.”

This is turning out to be a recurring villain in this interview series.

Whisky Surprise

For Ingvar, one of the biggest surprises has been the quality coming from unexpected corners of the globe. “The enormous quality and super-cool, different whiskies we’re now seeing from Korea, Vietnam, and many other countries. I didn’t see that coming this quickly,” he said. “That’s been a real surprise.”

Whisky Trend

Ingvar sees two major trends shaping whisky today, one among enthusiasts, and one among everyday drinkers.

“Among whisky geeks, bourbon-matured whisky has made a comeback,” he explained. “For a long time, so much focus was on heavily peated or heavily sherried whiskies. But now many people are recognizing the elegance and fantastic quality bourbon maturation can offer.”

“And if we’re not talking about whisky geeks but about the 98%, the ordinary punters, I think blends are coming back in a big way. They’ve always had their favourite single malts, but with the current economic crisis, inflation, and lower household incomes, blends are really returning.”

Whisky Wish

Ingvar’s wish was simple, and beautifully put. “My wish is that every bottle that’s sold is opened and shared with friends,” he said.

It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of whisky: not as a collectible to be hoarded or viewed as merely an investment, but as something to be enjoyed and shared.

Make sure to check out the latest release of The Malt Whisky Yearbook. It truly is an essential publication!

Sláinte!
- Thomas